BATMAN v Superman begins by reversing the earth’s rotation and transporting us back to the final moments of Man of Steel. Metropolis is under attack. Alien craft shoot across the sky, levelling tall buildings at a single touch and raining debris on the terrified people below. Superman (Henry Cavill) and General Zod (Michael Shannon) clash like feuding gods above a city in flames. But this isn’t just a case of director Zack Snyder replaying his apocalyptic show reel. This time it’s different – this time we get to see it from ground level.
In the end, Batman v Superman raises hopes only to disappoint them
The new perspective is attached to Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck). Powerless to intervene in the battle raging overhead, he races through the streets to Wayne Enterprises, hoping at least to save his own employees. But no sooner does he come in sight of the building than it crashes to earth, leaving him standing in the ruins, a newly orphaned child clutched in his arms. Looking up, he sees the two Kryptonians grappling in the heavens. One of them is wearing a cape; apart from that they are indistinguishable.
Subtle it is not, but this opening sequence does a couple of interesting things. First and foremost, it introduces us to the new Batman – a Batman we haven’t seen before. He is as much Bruce Wayne as he is the Dark Knight, and despite the heroics he is still only human, a fact that seems almost as painful to him as the destruction of the city. Secondly, it responds to one of the main criticisms directed at Man of Steel, namely that a film about the most optimistic of American superheroes should be so fixated with images of destruction that it treats the death of thousands as cinematic collateral damage. The change in perspective restores a sense of human scale, suggesting a more thoughtful and grown-up direction for the series. All in all, it’s a clever move, not to mention a promising start.
Henry Cavill as Superman: 'still a dull boy'The promise is sustained – some ill-judged dream sequences notwithstanding – throughout the film’s first act. Jumping forward eighteen months, we see a rebuilt Metropolis that is nonetheless racked by doubts over the intentions of its saviour. While many regard Superman as a hero, others are suspicious, even hostile. Batman is pummelling his way through the underworld in search of Kryptonite, and a well-intentioned senator (Holly Hunter) is raising questions of accountability. Complicating matters further is Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg), a manipulative tycoon whose agenda remains shrouded in mystery. There are the makings of an intriguing plot here. Unfortunately, that plot abruptly disappears about an hour in to the movie – Snyder and writer David S. Goyer practically blow it up on screen – and what follows is just a series of loosely linked action sequences.
The first of these is what you might call the ‘title fight’. Frankly, it’s a frustrating affair. We know the whole thing has been orchestrated by Luthor, and that the heroes will eventually recognise their error and join forces against the common foe. But you can’t call a film Batman v Superman then have the two of them settle their differences with a quick confab. So instead we get ten minutes of Affleck and Cavill grimacing and throwing each other through masonry – were Snyder’s parents brutally murdered by an architect? – before finally bonding over the fact that their mothers share a first name.
Ben Affleck as Batman: 'more life to him than the hollowed-out character portrayed by Christian Bale'If that sounds stupid, there’s worse to come. The grand finale sees them join forces with Wonder Woman – who literally drops out of the sky – to battle a hastily organised adversary that looks like a cross between the cave troll from Lord of the Rings and an iTunes visualisation. There are a lot of CGI fireworks and someone shoots a nuclear missile into space. As in Man of Steel, the city is smashed to pieces, but this time the filmmakers take care to inform us that the site of the showdown is deserted. ‘Holy property damage, Batman!’ as Robin might have said.
In the end, Batman v Superman raises hopes only to disappoint them. It has a few bright spots: Affleck’s Bruce Wayne has more life to him than the hollowed-out character portrayed by Christian Bale, and Jesse Eisenberg is fun as a millennial, free-associating Lex Luthor – at least until he degenerates into a mere contriver of situations. But serious Superman is still a dull boy, and Lois Lane (Amy Adams) still has little to do but run up her Daily Planet travel expenses in pursuit of exposition. On the whole the film is every bit as drab, portentous and incoherent as its predecessor. Christopher Nolan made Batman work with only two of those qualities; Snyder, not one to resist a bit of messianic imagery, just has to have the trinity.
Batman V Superman is showing in cinemas nationwide.
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